Thank you, Capitol Hill

[Anonymous]

I realized today that I love living in this neighborhood. I had to go to the Pentagon City Mall to get a Christmas present, got stuck in traffic on 395 getting there, had trouble finding a parking place, the place was an overstimilating madhouse, and then got stuck in traffic coming back on 395. When I pulled off the highway, I was immediately dropped back into my quiet neighborhood with its lovely streets and adorable houses. So many people have wreaths on their doors or Christmas trees in their bay windows. I put my car in the driveway, walked over to Eastern Market, stopped by Peregine for a cup of coffee, bought my last Christmas present at the independently-owned Hill's Kitchen, petted a few dogs on the street, ran into a neighbor, and stopped in for a bottle of wine and some cheese at S and P market.

I just wanted to say thank you, Capitol Hill. I don't always appreciate you and I like to point out your faults, but today I remembered your quiet, relaxing charm.

What is it about your neighborhood that makes you glad to live there?

[Anonymous]

I live right off 395 near the Costco and Pentagon City Mall.

I like that my neighborhood contains lots of super convenient shopping so I never need to drive over the bridge into Washington to buy what I need. I also like my neighbors and the dog park that are right here.

[Anonymous]

Yes, OP, thank you, Capitol Hill! It's like living in a small town right next to the big city (downtown and the Mall a short metro hop away) and right next to the country (I row on the Anacostia and can walk to the boathouse). Love it!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realized today that I love living in this neighborhood. I had to go to the Pentagon City Mall to get a Christmas present, got stuck in traffic on 395 getting there, had trouble finding a parking place, the place was an overstimilating madhouse, and then got stuck in traffic coming back on 395. When I pulled off the highway, I was immediately dropped back into my quiet neighborhood with its lovely streets and adorable houses. So many people have wreaths on their doors or Christmas trees in their bay windows. I put my car in the driveway, walked over to Eastern Market, stopped by Peregine for a cup of coffee, bought my last Christmas present at the independently-owned Hill's Kitchen, petted a few dogs on the street, ran into a neighbor, and stopped in for a bottle of wine and some cheese at S and P market.

Eastern Market is so underwhelming. I went there last year to shop for presents and forced myself to buy one item. Smelly and dirty inside, with few appealing places to eat or shop, Times Square-like street vendors peddling junk outside, and menacing panhandlers looking for an opportunity to shake down visitors for spare change or dollar bills.

Never again. I can deal with the over-stimulation of a Pentagon City if it entails a basic level of sanitation and some hope of finding quality goods and merchandise.

[Anonymous]

Amen, OP!

We moved away a couple of years ago (rented out our rowhouse 3 blocks from Eastern Market). I miss it!

And 17:37, I think they just called your name at Ruby Tuesday's. Run run run!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I realized today that I love living in this neighborhood. I had to go to the Pentagon City Mall to get a Christmas present, got stuck in traffic on 395 getting there, had trouble finding a parking place, the place was an overstimilating madhouse, and then got stuck in traffic coming back on 395. When I pulled off the highway, I was immediately dropped back into my quiet neighborhood with its lovely streets and adorable houses. So many people have wreaths on their doors or Christmas trees in their bay windows. I put my car in the driveway, walked over to Eastern Market, stopped by Peregine for a cup of coffee, bought my last Christmas present at the independently-owned Hill's Kitchen, petted a few dogs on the street, ran into a neighbor, and stopped in for a bottle of wine and some cheese at S and P market.

Eastern Market is so underwhelming. I went there last year to shop for presents and forced myself to buy one item. Smelly and dirty inside, with few appealing places to eat or shop, Times Square-like street vendors peddling junk outside, and menacing panhandlers looking for an opportunity to shake down visitors for spare change or dollar bills.

Never again. I can deal with the over-stimulation of a Pentagon City if it entails a basic level of sanitation and some hope of finding quality goods and merchandise.

But, what do you like about where YOU live? That was the question.

[Anonymous]

I love Georgetown. Quiet streets with lovely old homes. I can enjoy the shops without fighting for parking, and I can walk to my side street house and get away from the touristy crowds. Easy!

[Anonymous]

Another big plus for the Hill - buried power lines! We survived the 2003 hurricane with no disruptions to electricity or cable. Can't say that about MoCo. Sadly, we couldn't afford to buy on the Hill, and for better or worse that's part of what keeps the neighborhood charming: a lot of high income residents.

[Anonymous]

Having lived on Capitol Hill for 15 years -- nothing compares to NW. We can walk to either Connecticut or Wisconsin. Shopping, Metro, restaurants, libraries, Community Center, aquatic center which doesn't have poop in the pool or changing room (yes, I remember those days at the natatorium), etc. I love the ability to have a yard and a refurbished playground right across the street. Love the diversity of my neighbors and the fact that we don't share walls. Love my ability to park on the street pretty much when I want and where I want. I love that my garbage is actually picked up, streets fixed and have you heard about the schools yet?

Yep, once asked if we would ever consider moving back to Capitol Hill. Yeah, never.

[Anonymous]

Hey OP do you love the rampant crime? Break ins, car jackings, gun shots, Potomac Gardens? Yeah I'll say in Virginia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What is it about your neighborhood that makes you glad to live there?

Negative responses to this question are so unnecessary. It's not a competition, people.

I'm in close-in Bethesda. One thing I love is our proximity to DC's preschool, which is great.

[Anonymous]

Where is this and what schools?

Anonymous wrote:Having lived on Capitol Hill for 15 years -- nothing compares to NW. We can walk to either Connecticut or Wisconsin. Shopping, Metro, restaurants, libraries, Community Center, aquatic center which doesn't have poop in the pool or changing room (yes, I remember those days at the natatorium), etc. I love the ability to have a yard and a refurbished playground right across the street. Love the diversity of my neighbors and the fact that we don't share walls. Love my ability to park on the street pretty much when I want and where I want. I love that my garbage is actually picked up, streets fixed and have you heard about the schools yet?

Yep, once asked if we would ever consider moving back to Capitol Hill. Yeah, never.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I realized today that I love living in this neighborhood. I had to go to the Pentagon City Mall to get a Christmas present, got stuck in traffic on 395 getting there, had trouble finding a parking place, the place was an overstimilating madhouse, and then got stuck in traffic coming back on 395. When I pulled off the highway, I was immediately dropped back into my quiet neighborhood with its lovely streets and adorable houses. So many people have wreaths on their doors or Christmas trees in their bay windows. I put my car in the driveway, walked over to Eastern Market, stopped by Peregine for a cup of coffee, bought my last Christmas present at the independently-owned Hill's Kitchen, petted a few dogs on the street, ran into a neighbor, and stopped in for a bottle of wine and some cheese at S and P market.

I just wanted to say thank you, Capitol Hill. I don't always appreciate you and I like to point out your faults, but today I remembered your quiet, relaxing charm.

What is it about your neighborhood that makes you glad to live there?

Another reason to love Capitol Hill is that they have this underground train thing that could have transported you to Pentagon City without the need to sit in traffic.

I lived on Capitol Hill for a couple of years before moving to the burbs so my children could get a QUALITY education. Loved everything about it too. But, I also love where I live now and don't feel the need to smugly denigrate another area on an Internet chat board to declare my own neighborhood perfect.

Capitol Hill had its frustrations too, of course. Lack of good grocery stores (the markets invariably are overpriced or contain out-of-date stock), lack of decent retail, a fair amount of crime east of the park, etc.

But I enjoyed the charming housing stock, the proximity to work and Metro, Eastern Market, and even the swimming pool on North Carolina Avenue (which was free!)

[Anonymous]

Why anyone would celebrate living in a crime-filled area favored by Hill staffers who work for senators and representatives who contribute little and accomplish nothing is beyond me.

[Anonymous]

It's not denigrating to call the Pentagon City Mall a madhouse - it is, especially at Christmas. (The only thing worse is the Costco!) Neither did I think the OP was smug. S/he wasn't smug, just appreciative of what s/he has.

We DCUMers seriously need to get over this insanely stupid competition about who lives in a better neighborhood. Even a perfectly nice comment from someone who had a lovely day (and probably a glass or two of wine, to be sure) turns into a big, dumb fight about whether it's better to live in DC or the suburbs. It's all personal choice. You're not convincing anyone who doesn't already agree with you. Let it go.

And OP we love everything about our neighborhood - its rhythm, walkability, and that it's close to everything we value and yet we still hear only crickets at night in the summer. One of my favorite moments in our neighborhood is mornings, when I'm on the elliptical and watching my neighbors walk their dogs through the window.